How dental issues are costing the Emergency Department

23 Oct 2018 How dental issues are costing the Emergency Department

American Emergency Departments are overcrowded. The increase in patients showing up with dental problems is making the situation much worse. People are showing up across the country in pain from long-term, untreated oral health issues. Unfortunately, there is not much the doctors in the ED can do for patients except prescribe painkillers and send them to their dentist.

Emergency Department cost infographic

This problem is expensive too. US dental-related Emergency Department visits cost approximately $1.6 billion in 2012 alone. The number of Medicaid members seeking ED care in Oregon shot up 31% between 2008 and 2010. In Florida that number was up by 40% in the same period.

Many of these dental problems can been avoided by going to the dentist earlier. Most dental issues can be prevented with good oral health habits, and almost all issues can then be treated quickly and easily if caught early.

Getting problems checked can save you pain and time waiting in an ER. With Toothpic, it’s easy to get advice from a dentist on any concerns you have in just 24 hours.